Take a Hike with Rep. Swalwell
Now’s your chance to interact with U.S. Representative Eric Swalwell and get a little sunshine and exercise at the same time.
The California District 15 congressman will be in Castro Valley this Saturday (August 6) to host his annual “Hike with Your Rep.” The hike will take place at Lake Chabot starting at 8:30 a.m. and lasting until 10:00 a.m. The event is billed as an “easy walk of about two miles.”
“We can talk while we walk, and we'll pause somewhere along the way so I can give you an update on what's happening and take your questions,” Swalwell posted on the invite. Registration for the event is available but not mandatory.
Swalwell’s staff recommends hikers bring sun protection, including a hat, bring water, and wear comfortable shoes.
The hike at Lake Chabot is sandwiched in between two town halls that Swalwell has organized. The congressman visited Livermore on July 21 and is expected to stop in Union City later this month.
Swalwell's current District 15 includes Castro Valley, Ashland, Cherryland, Hayward, and the Tri-Valley (Dublin, Pleasanton, Livermore, and San Ramon). After the November election, Swalwell will change to the new District 14 after new redistricting lines take effect.
In the run-up to Congress’ summer break, Swalwell introduced a handful of bills. One is designed to help make housing more affordable for teachers. Drafted with the help of Connecticut Democrat Jahana Hayes, the Educator Down Payment Assistance Act would establish a new grant program at the Department of Education for local governments and local educational agencies to provide down payment assistance to full-time public-school educators and school staff who are first-time home buyers.
Educators with five or more years of service and making up to 120 to 180 percent of the median income depending on local costs of living could also apply for grants up to $25,000, according to the bill.
“Housing affordability is the biggest reason given for teachers leaving the profession,” Swalwell said. “Entry-level teachers spend nearly half of their salaries on rent and typical rent is unaffordable for entry-level teachers in 49 of the 50 largest metro areas in the United States.”
In addition to the educator housing assistance, Swalwell co-authored a bill that gives the relatives of homicide victims the right to have their loved one’s federal case file reviewed after the case has gone cold for three years.
The Homicide Victims’ Families Rights Act increases lines of communication between law enforcement and families to provide them with updates on their lost loved one’s case file. It will also collect data on common problems with homicide cases to help increase the clearance of cold cases.
“Far too many homicides in our country are going unsolved, leaving families and communities devastated,” said Swalwell. “As a former prosecutor, I am hopeful that my bill will help give grieving families some closure and allow them to move one step closer toward the healing and justice they deserve.”
Swalwell is scheduled to hold his next town hall meeting on Tuesday, August 16 in Union City at 6:30 p.m. Registration for the August 6 hike and the August 16 event is available at ericswalwell.eventbrite.com